I’m doing some work in the downstairs bathroom. The p-trap was cracked, leading to unpleasant odors if the tile shower wasn’t used for a day or two. I had a plumber come in and check it out, we decided to replace the tile shower with a tub. He busted out the concrete around the drain, replaced the drain and installed the tub, without replacing the concrete floor under the tub. Although the tub feels solid, I reached under and it feels like it’s on a piece of on OSB spanning the hole in the floor. This can’t be kosher, or even code, is it? I’m not a pro and my skills are more of the framing type. Sounds like junk to me. What do you think? Any plumbing pros want to comment?
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Can a dog be kosher? Sure, if it's Hebrew National. Two with mustard and onions, please.
The best dogs have kraut on them...
I'm no plumbing pro, but am responding to let you know we don't always give silly answers and someone else will be along that will try to give you a good answer instead of joking around. I would tend to agree with you--if OSB was used to support the tub by spanning the hole, that is probably not good. I don't understand why the guy didn't patch the concrete. If it feels squishy now, I doubt it will improve as time goes on.
I'm not a plumber either. My post was a simple means to bump the thread and an ice breaker for a new guy. Don't take goofy replies so seriously.
If he only had to bust out the concrete around the drain, how did the whole tub end up sitting on osb? Or is the osb just around the trap? If that is the case, it's not the best practice, but better than encasing the drains in concrete without sleeves. If the whole tub is supported on osb it certainly wouldn't meet code here. All untreated materials have to be separated by 2" or a waterproof barrier from contact with concrete or grade.
The concrete around the drain was removed. The tub is actually sitting on the remaining concrete. It's hard to tell what the OSB is doing, I didn't see it put in and only know it's there because I reached through the framing and under the tub. I'm trying to figure out if it's a normal practice to leave the hole open to the dirt below.
Thanks.
It is commonly done around here although I wouldn't do it. It compromises the continuous vapour barrier that stops moisture and, depending where you are, radon from coming up through the slab. That, and it looks hokey, which in itself should be reason enough. The osb stuffed under there is a bit of a puzzler.
Those are good reasons to be concerned. I will look into it further. Thanks for your comments.
Mike
Lots of old tubs are wide open below.
Lots of new tubs have the drain area cut out around and then packed full with rotton cotton/therma fiber or whatever you want to call that ichy greenish grey densely packed insulation they call a fire stop.
With that said, when they are in the basement, or slab they are often above the vapor barrier and there is a little gravel around the trap and drain.
Tough to get them plumbed without having some access to them.
Whatever the dirt is below, I recon you should have a vapor barrier on it depending on your area. (I am guessing that perhaps in the desert you dont need a vapor barrier but I really dont know because everywhere I build the ground is plenty wet.
Regarding the hot dogs, there is a great new Hot Dog Restaurant on 202 in Wilmington DE. (Johnies Hot Dogs) If you are in that area, try em out.
They are kosher I hear. (the new york dog was awesome!!)
Here in Boise, lack of moisture is more the problem. Speaking of dogs, I heard tell of a hot dog joint in town that has white hots from Buffalo. THAT's the real thing.
Jeff in PaIn regards to the Johnie's Hotdogs: Is that the same Johhny's that is North of Painter's Crossing, going North on 202 towards the borough?Just curious. Thanks, - T.
Thats Jimmy Johns. I live right around the corner.
Jimmy Johns has been there since the early 1900's
Johnies is a new restaurant about 10 miles south of there in North Wilmington.
Just got back from lunch there with the kids. 4 for 4. (4 meals all very good) Everything is like a notch above all the other "quick or fast" food joints around there.
Johnies 1st store is up in Wayne on the main line.
Jeff,Thanks for the clarification. I knew of the Johnies in Wayne; actually that was the one that I thought of first. Just wasn't sure if all three were one of the same. Thanks again.Warm Regards, - T.
Well, we have no picture, but I gotta ask:
Is he a plumber,
Or a 'crete contractor?
My folks house has the bottoms of the tubs exposed inthe crawl space - been that way since 1964. Cold sometimes!
Forrest
I'd sure give a try at applying spray foam on them.
The OSB is not 'kosher' in that it will absorb moisture both from the earth below it and also from any condensation/sweating that happens on the outside of the tub surface. OSB loves moisture; soaks it up like a sponge. Unfortunately, once it's done so, it swells and tends to fall apart. Duh.
The best practice would have been to build a service chase around the drain & s-trap out of exterior or marine-grade plywood, and then pour concrete up to that to fill any remaining opening. The service chase should have a rodent-proof access door that can be opened to pull the clean-out plug on the trap, and the bottom of the chase needs a rubber grommet (like a small stack flashing for a roof) where the drain passes through it.
Dinosaur
How now, Mighty Sauron, that thou art not brought
low by this? For thine evil pales before that which
foolish men call Justice....
I need to ask again,
Was this a plumber or a concrete guy?
Do you plumbers out there work with ceement in such cases? Or do you tell the person to get another trade in to do the rest of the job?
Or is the GC responsible for this?
He's a plumber. I figgered he'd put the drain in and I'd take care of the cement. When I got be the tub was in and he was gone...
Oh, yes, and I'm the GC. I just figured out that means Great Compromiser.
>>>I just figured out that means Great Compromiser.
Ah, Grasshopper, it is time for you to leave...
I guess you meant that for the OP, not me. But since I'm here, I'll say that I expect the plumbing sub to be equipped to demo concrete as necessary to repair/replace pipes, but I wouldn't really expect him to patch it back in again--just to leave it so the GC or whoever could do it.
It'd be nice if he did it himself, and my regular guy probably would (which is why I use him when I don't do the plumbing myself). Rough concrete isn't quite the same thing as asking a sparky to refinish gyprock he's had to bust through. But I don't expect it.
But that's why there are remod guys like me who can do everything, LOL.
Dinosaur
How now, Mighty Sauron, that thou art not broughtlow by this? For thine evil pales before that whichfoolish men call Justice....
My plumber schleps concrete around all the time. If he cuts it he replaces it.
Some fibreglass tubs have osb as part of the base of the tub. Some of those have leveling legs built in.
Or is your osb seperate from the tub?
I can't tell. It's a Kohler K-1184-RA. I didn't see it out of the box before it was installed.
Thanks.
Did you ask the plumber why he did what he did?
Maybe he has legitimate explanations.